a stranger rode in from somewhere south
his face told more stories than his mouth
he stopped first at our general store
his old boots left tracks on the floor

momma mumbled and grabbed a broom
followed the man around the room
my father asked him where he was going
he replied, “nowhere worth knowing”

word spread as fast as a shout is loud
a stranger knows how to attract a crowd
the sunset so bright, i looked away
watching the stranger ride away